Lady in Red Pt. 02 Ch. 24

"What will other countries think? Steve Hammer just stepped up to a badly injured man and killed him in cold blood," argued one of Rosen's older civilian aides. "We can't condone that behavior."

"That was a battle to the death between two real men," shot back General Hopkins. "It was a war situation. Those damn pirates killed a lot of innocent people. God only knows what they did to those women! Hammer did what needed doing."

Cynthia Rosen had been sitting in the back of the room, watching the drama unfold and listening to the ensuing conversation. She immediately joined the discussion.

"If you do anything but praise that man every which way possible, it'll all come back to bite you on the ass," suggested the First Lady with some emotion. "There's a man that flew thousands of miles, hung with one hand from a ladder on a helicopter, and was pretty much launched into a hostile, armed group of killers. He did it willingly to save his future wife! He risked everything for her. He fought a massive, deranged murderer and yes, he killed him. By doing so, he made the world a better place and saved the most respected, popular, and beautiful woman in the world.

"This is a no brainer. I guarantee that every woman that saw that battle will have wet panties whenever they think about what Steve Hammer was willing, and able to do for his lover. You need to come out strongly in support of his actions. It would be far better to argue with your allies than turn your back on America's royal couple, especially after tonight."

"Cynthia and General Hopkins are right," agreed Rosen. "To hell with anyone that doesn't feel Steve had cause. That wasn't cold blooded. That was the heat of battle. That bastard would've killed Steve in a heartbeat if he had the chance. The United States will back Steve unequivocally in this. Alert the press that I'm going to make a statement. I want to be if front of this situation."

The quiet at Marsh's droned on for what seemed like a very long time after Steve threw the dead Chancellor from the ship. Cheryl's father, who had been invited to the private room with his wife, finally broke the silence.

"Jesus! Steve just killed that big bastard, then lifted him up, and tossed his body into the ocean! He's got to be the toughest son-of-a-bitch on the planet!"

"Look at Dad!" pointed out Kate. "They're helping him into the helicopter. He's been hurt!"

"So has Pete!" exclaimed Becky. "Jared practically lifted him into the chopper."

"Billy's bleeding quite a bit," worried his mother. "Look at the blood on his arm!

"Jared, Chip, Charlie, and Jason look okay," observed Lisa with some relief. "Can you believe what those guys just did? They defeated a small army, and Steve killed the guy that was supposed to be the toughest man in the world; and he did it with his bare hands!"

"I probably shouldn't feel this way, but I'm glad Steve killed him," confessed Paula. "I can't even think about what that monster did to Gwen. She was practically naked! She had blood on her face. I just hope she's okay.

"Ted was holding his arm, so his injury shouldn't be life threatening, if he doesn't bleed too much. I don't know about Pete and Billy, but Steve must be in a lot of pain by now. That Chancellor hit him hard enough to kill most men."

TV and the internet were consumed with videos, photos, and descriptions of the pirate attack and the aftermath. Sentiment around the world was on Steve's side. Very few people questioned his decision to kill the powerful pirate.

Jason had guessed correctly when he suggested that the choppers were getting low on fuel. By the time they set down not far from the Red Lady, they were running on fumes. As soon as everyone climbed aboard the company aircraft, the pilots pointed her homeward by way of London, where they stopped to refuel.

The sun had only been up a couple of hours when two helicopters flew low over Sparta and landed on the high school athletic field. The citizens of Sparta had been waiting for the group's return and a huge crowd had gathered by the time the copters came into sight.

Eight convertibles were parked nearby and the weary travelers were escorted to the vehicles by the young ladies of Sparta's varsity cheerleading squad. Paula, Lisa, Kate, Jordan, Becky, and Naomi were already seated in six of the cars and hugged their men as they joined them in the back seat. Billy and Charlotte climbed into one convertible while Steve and Gwen took their place in the last car. Cheryl and Jeff continued to video Steve and Gwen as they gingerly climbed into the automobile.

"I agreed to this because Dad said he was doing okay and could wait half an hour for what will probably be surgery on his arm," explained Gwen to Steve. "Pete's arm has stopped bleeding. He wanted to do this, and Billy insisted on it. His cuts will require stitches, and it looks like you may need a few, as well.

"You and I are a sight, but Mom said that everyone was so proud of you guys they simply had to show you how much. It's going to be a little embarrassing, but it's really important to everyone in Sparta that they welcome their heroes back properly. You guys are legend!"

Gwen's lip was grotesquely swollen and she had a gash on her left cheek, while Steve's face was discolored, with several lumps already formed, and once again, he sported a beauty of a shiner.

The cheerleaders pulled out a huge banner and paraded it around the returning heroes before moving to the front of the column. The banner was professionally made and it read 'The Spartan Nation Proudly Welcomes the Return of our Queen and Our Warriors'.

Before they reached the end of the football field, they were driving through a narrow lane in the midst of a sea of humanity. American flags were proudly displayed and waved as spectators yelled and shouted their pride and approval of the heroic actions of its most famous citizens.

The high school cheerleaders led the procession as the small parade slowly made its way through the main street of Sparta. The couples in the car smiled, waved, and greeted many of the people they recognized in the huge crowd.

Gwen was embarrassed when so many of the people in the crowd gasped when they saw the battered faces of the couple. Tears flowed freely as locals began to realize the scope of the ordeal endured aboard that hospital ship so far from home.

As the procession proceeded through the crowd, women would go into prolonged curtsies and men would bow as Gwen rode past them. Gwen had become somewhat used to the gesture, but tears ran down her swollen cheek as she smiled crookedly and waved to everyone.

The procession traveled four blocks to the entrance of the hospital driveway. People were four and five deep every step of the way. As Steve carefully helped Gwen from the car, the crowd became very loud. Screams, whistles, yells and applause filled the air. Out of habit, Gwen took Steve's left hand in hers and raised it up in a salute, only to have Steve gasp and quickly hunch over.

"I'm so sorry!" apologized a mortified Gwen. "I forgot about your ribs for a second. Please forgive me!"

The crowd had gone totally silent when it became apparent that Steve was obviously in considerable pain. They clearly heard Gwen's immediate apology and waited for Steve's reaction. Steve slowly straightened back up and carefully pulled Gwen close. He then proceeded to gently kiss her swollen lips in front of everyone as the yells and applause once again became deafening.

Steve finally released Gwen, who flashed a bizarre looking smile to the crowd, took Steve's hand, and walked with him into the hospital. Once inside, Steve found Paula crying as she clutched Ted's good arm to her bosom.

"Paula, you need to know that Ted came through for me in a big way. He's a true hero and there'd be no wedding if it hadn't been for his quick actions, even while suffering from a badly broken arm. Your husband, along with our friends saved Gwen, Charlotte, and Cheryl from a damn nasty situation."

Paula looked at Gwen's face, and then at Steve's as tears started pouring even faster. "I was so frightened when Gwen called and that horrible bastard took her while she was speaking to us on the phone. We watched it all. I can't believe how brave you men are! I'm so proud of my husband and my daughters' friends that I can't express it."

Gwen, Charlotte, and Cheryl were warmly greeted by the rest of the women in the family. Then they heard a familiar voice.

"Okay, the reunion is over. Orderlies have wheelchairs for anyone with injuries of any sort to sit in and be wheeled to the ER," directed Laura. "Most of you know how it all works. God knows we've had more than a little experience with Steve, Billy, and even Ted. Pete, welcome to our facility for the first time, and I hope the last. Gwen, or should I say Doctor Anderson? You're included in the free ride to the ER. We need to x-ray your face and take care of your cut. Okay everyone, let's get this started!"

As suspected, Ted required surgery to repair his badly broken arm. Gwen had three small stitches, while Billy needed almost two dozen on his arm where a knife wielding pirate had slashed him just before Billy managed to dispatch the man to hell. Pete had a bullet pass through his triceps. He required antibiotics, a thorough cleaning of the wound and bandaging. Steve had several cracked ribs and a hairline crack of his cheek bone, along with numerous contusions, abrasions, and bruises.

All of them spent the day and that night in the hospital, mostly for observation, as well as an opportunity to rest. Steve had fallen asleep shortly after noon and didn't wake up until six the next morning. He thought that he was recovering nicely until he tried to sit up. That action reminded him of his cracked ribs.

A nurse was walking by his door and saw him struggle to sit on the side of the bed. "You look a lot better today, Steve. The doctor will be in before long to see how you're doing. What you did for Gwen was the most romantic, courageous thing I've ever seen. I knew you guys had something special even back in high school."

"Sandy Johnson?" asked Steve as he recognized his old classmate. "How have you been? I see you're a nurse now. Tell me about yourself."

"You always had a way of making others feel important," smiled the young woman. "I received my nursing degree about four years ago and worked out of state until this hospital opened its new wing. Then I got a job here and I love it!

"I'm engaged to Ned Turner. He was a defensive lineman on the championship team. He's an accountant now. He had an interview scheduled with Gwen's father, but that's been postponed, as you can imagine. Most accountants around here don't jump from helicopters and battle pirates on the open seas."

"No, I think Ted's one of a kind," agreed Steve. "Are you guys going to come to our wedding?"

"You must be kidding! The whole world's going to your wedding! I know you can't tell me, but rumor has the Royal couple, the Russian President, the President of France, former President Hanson, President Rosen, Senator Chatham, and dozens of other politicians and world leaders all coming to Sparta!

"You guys have done us proud. Gwen is being called Sparta's Queen. She's so modest, generous, and sincere that almost no one feels jealous about it. I was reading some stories on the internet before I came into work. You're called the Warrior, and you'll protect your Queen with your life.

"You're like a billionaire, a movie star, a recording star, a football star, and the best looking guy in the free world. But with all of that, you remembered me and took the time to ask about my life. I don't know if you realize how that makes people feel. Everyone in town loves you for it. You, Gwen, your friends, and family all act like regular people and treat everyone as equals, even though you're extremely wealthy and successful."

"I guess that means you're coming to the wedding?" chuckled Steve. "Please save a dance for me, if it's okay with Ned. It's great to see you again. I almost forgot what a bubbly personality you have. Tell Ned I'll put in a good word for him with Ted, although I can't promise it'll help."

"You will? I can't wait to tell him what you said!" replied Sandy. "Somehow, I think you might have some influence with your future father-in-law. Mr. Anderson really seems to like you a lot, but that's no surprise."

Just then, a tall man in scrubs walked into the room and Sandy became all business. When the doctor carefully pulled Steve's hospital garb away from his chest to examine him, she let out an audible gasp.

"Is it the bruising, or the amazing musculature that caused that reaction, Nurse Johnson?" teased the doctor. "It looks like you've been in a life and death struggle with a real titan, Mr. Hammer. The fact that you're the one I'm examining indicates your foe didn't fare nearly as well.

"I watched that battle in real time while sitting on my sofa enjoying a cold drink," revealed the doctor. "It was incredible! My wife thinks it was the most romantic thing she's ever seen. Apparently, fighting and defeating a huge killer to defend your lady is way up there on the list of things women find desirable."

"This woman certainly does!" came Gwen's voice from the doorway. "He, Dad, and the other guys arrived in the nick of time. Then Steve somehow got that brute to drop his knife that he held to my throat. I'll never forget that battle and how incredibly tough Steve is."

"I watched it with Ned. He thought that Chancellor guy was going to win. I told Ned that you'd not only beat the guy, but you'd kill him for what he did to Gwen," chimed in Sandy.

"Sandy Johnson?" asked Gwen as she suddenly recognized the young nurse. "How have you been? You're a nurse here in Sparta now? It's so good to see you!"

"I should have curtsied," replied the slightly nervous nurse. "I forgot since we were in a lot of the same classes in school. I'm sorry."

"Please, don't say that," insisted Gwen. "If people feel better doing that for some reason, it's okay, but I'd prefer that they didn't. I'm not a queen. I'm just the same as you and the rest of our classmates."

"I don't think that's even close to accurate. You're a huge movie star, a congresswoman, and extremely wealthy. You help people less fortunate all the time. You've saved a lot of lives with your generosity. Please let us enjoy having a Queen. It's especially cool because it's what the folks in Sparta want, not some birthright, or privilege. As I was just telling Steve, you're our Queen and he's the Warrior, just like those movies you guys made.

"Remember that I was in the gym when those terrorists attacked. I saw what Steve did, and what you did as soon as the shooting stopped. At our graduation, I was the one that gave up my seat so Steve could sit on the end. Am I glad that I did! I've seen what you two can accomplish, and it's way beyond what the rest of us mortals can do!"

Feeling uncomfortable with the topic, Steve made an effort to change it. "Sandy is engaged to Ned Turner. He's an accountant now. He had an appointment with Ted, but that was before Ted decided to partake in an adventure by flying to the Indian Ocean, jumping from a helicopter onto a ship, and saving my life. It sort of put his business on hold."

"Ned Turner is your fiancé? He's a great guy! I'll talk to Dad about him. I'd be very surprised if he didn't find himself working in Dad's office pretty soon," promised Gwen. "When's the wedding?"

"We're getting married in August. It won't big a big affair like your wedding, but we think it's going to be pretty nice. We're having the reception in Marsh's banquet room. Would you and Steve come? I didn't invite you because I was afraid that it would look like I was trying to pander to you since we haven't seen each other since high school."

"I think that we'd love to go to your wedding and I hope that you come to ours," replied Gwen quickly. "We just have to clear that date on our calendar, which I'll take care of in a few minutes. Maybe Steve and I could sing a couple of songs at your reception, if you'd like?"

"I can't believe this is happening!" bubbled the young nurse. "You'd do that for us? I can't wait to tell Mom what you said. Small wonder you're our Queen! That'll be one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me."

"Now that we have Nurse Johnson's social life, and her fiancé's career on track, let's get back to the matter of Mr. Hammer's health," suggested the doctor with a big grin.

Steve and Gwen left the hospital and returned to their house shortly before noon. They were relaxing by the pool when Gwen's phone rang. She spoke on it for several minutes before turning to Steve.

"Amber Stahl's in Sparta and would like to do an interview with us for tonight's news magazine show. It would be live, an hour long, and with a five second delay. Are you willing? We'll look pretty bad still, but there are so many pictures of us looking like hell out there already, it won't make much difference."

"Sure," replied Steve. "If we can do in Valhalla. I don't feel like leaving Asgard. I'm pretty stiff and sore."

That evening, Amber was seated across from Gwen and Steve at a large, solid wooden table in the great room in Valhalla. Amber had asked for an audience to be present so she could show people's response to Steve and Gwen's interview. She also planned on allowing members of the audience ask some questions. There were just over a hundred local citizens, along with Gwen and Steve's close friends watching the interview. Once her cameraman signaled that he was ready, Amber began.

"Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Gwen and Steve. First, tell us how you're both doing. You still carry the marks from that situation on the African Coast. Are you okay? And is the wedding still on schedule?"

"We're doing fine, although we don't look like it right now," responded Gwen. "I had a few small stitches in my cheek and Steve has three cracked ribs and numerous bruises and contusions, but we're determined to stay the course!"

"Steve, everyone wants to know how you managed to arrive on scene so fast. You were in Sparta the last anyone knew. Then we hear there's trouble on the African Coast and you come flying to the rescue."

"I spoke with Gwen in the afternoon and she mentioned that their ship would be sailing along the coast of Somalia. That information concerned me, so I decided to take a precautionary trip to East Africa. Our amazing friends and Gwen's father insisted on going along. By the time we landed, it was known that the pirates were intent on attacking the hospital ship, so we climbed into the two helicopters and did what needed doing," responded Steve calmly.

"You hung from the ladder of the helicopter as it swung around over the ship. You were actually propelled into the waiting group of armed pirates. The video shows you shooting a rifle as you clung to the ladder with one hand. When you came to a stop on the deck, you immediately stood with two handguns blazing. Is all of that something you practiced as a SEAL?"

"Not really," chuckled Steve. "We made our plans as we approached the ship. I'd like to add that Chip dropped to the deck and was covering my back within a few seconds of my standing up. Jason, Jared, Charlie, Pete, Billy, and Ted all jumped into the fray immediately. I wasn't alone by any means and wouldn't have made it out alive if it hadn't been for the courage and skill of the others."

"So you had no idea there was a problem when you began your journey? It was simply precautionary?" asked a surprised Amber. "Gwen, were you surprised when Steve boarded the ship?"

"I had been on the phone with Mom since I couldn't reach Steve. She told me that Steve was approaching the ship in a helicopter and that she was watching the whole thing on TV. I was stunned! That was when Chancellor's men unlocked our door and took us to the deck where he was waiting. So, at that time, I knew Steve would be arriving pretty soon.